Agenda - Council - 11/25/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NAIOP LEGISLATIVE REPORT Boyd Stofer reported that the NOVEMBER 17 first session of the November 17 ALL-DAY SEMINAR All-Day Seminar to be held at the Radisson South will be devoted to legislative matters. Jim Stuebncr will introduce the topic, followed by Boyd handing out the legislative package. This package will give NAIOP members the names of the representatives and senators they should call in their respective areas. Also included will be a recent copy of NAIOP's national "Public Affairs Update", as an example of the kind of material we might prepare on a state-wide basis in contacting our legislators. Jim Erickson of the Hoffman firm will speak on upcoming legislative topics. Chairman Stuebncr reported that local legislative activities will be supported by a grant of $100 per developer member from the national NAIOP office. Chairman Stacbner met with the League of Economic Development Organizations (LEDO) on October 29 in Washin gton, D.C. to help set up a unified position on such matters. The real estate community has historically taken opposing positions on crucial issues, and it is necessary to unify our efforts for greater impact. All chapter presidents and Legis- FIRST NATIONAL lative Cmnmittee members are LEGISLATIVE urged to attend the first annual CONVENTION national Legislative Conference to be held in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 19 and 20, 1982. This meeting is patterned after the Minnesota session last spring. It will have training sessions in how to communicate with members of Congress and, on the last day, each delegate will have a private appointment with I I legislators from his home state Spouses are invited. NAIOP has testified repeatedly on this subject before and met with considerable success in developing language more amen- able to all parties; however, now that the guidelines are about to be published, there will be a need to meet on a face-to-face basis. PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS for additional hearings. The danger is that some of the compromises worked out earlier may not be included in the new document. Linda Fisher of the Hoffman firm reports that new categories requiring an EIS may be created. Jim Erlckson will review the matter during the all-day seminar on November 17. The big problem is that with the cutbacks necessary to reduce current deficits, many smaller cities may not have the staffs to prepare the required reports or review them once prepared, with the burden thus falling upon the developer. A meeting has been scheduled PROPERTY TAXES for November 3 to coordinate our position on the local property tax issue with other interested groups such as the BOMA chapters of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). National Public Affairs advi- THE D~AMATO sot, Margaret Smith, directed AMENDMENT our attention to the test vote that will have been taken on Friday, October 30. Senator D'Amato has proposed an amendment to an appropriation's bill to preclude the use of any funds to restrict with use of IRB umbrella financing by the IRS. She urged everyone to contact Senators Durenberger and Boschwltz, or their aides to support the D'Amato amendment. While this amendment concerns an appropriations bill rather than IRB legislation directly, a negative vote might be construed as a lack of Senate support for IRB financing. No legislation is yet pending in the Senate. The immediate concern is House Bill No. 4420 which would eliminate IRB financing except for distressed areas. The danger is that President Reagan may try to eliminate IRB financing in total because of its reported abuses as a concession to effect passage of his second tax bill. However, Tim Berger, Senator Boschwitz's Aide, reports that if and when such a bill is passed, it probably will not contain any retroactive feature and also that its effective date will be delayed for some time. The recent Houston conference HOUSTON ACTION approved a formal statement on ON IRB FINANCING IRB financing, which follows: "Given the current economic climate, IRB financ- ing has taken on increasing significance as a financing tool available to our industry. At this time, no changes should be made in their availabil- ity. It is our concern that IRBs continue to be available as a financing alternative for job- producing industrial and office buildings." Our people in Washington fear TROUBLE IN that the President's economic REAGAN'S program is in trouble. If all PROGRAM? special interest groups fight their own budget cuts, and succeed, then there will be no reduction in the federal deficit. NAIOP is thinking of publishing ads in all major cities supporting the President's economic program and urging the public to give it a chance. Boyd Stofer pointed out that the home builders have gone on record labelling the President's program as being anti- housing. It was the opinion of the committee that as serious as this is for the home builders, it was also important to show that part of the real estate community is willing to look at the long term benefits and support the President's program in order to avoid the difficulties that will result if everyone does not share in reducing the deficit. Chairman Stuebner met with MINNESOTA Governor Quie twice on Octo- BUSINESS bet 28 to review the Minnesota CLIMATE deficit and its impact on local property taxes. The Minnesota deficit appears to be far greater than originally suspected and state aid to some cities may be eliminated indefinitely. The easiest solution for local governments is to increase property taxes. James Stuebner asked members of the committee for constructive ideas as to what position NAIOP might be able to take to help solve the problem. The recently announced departure of Jeno's from Duluth is creating more concern on a state level. Several members described other Minnesota firms who are leaving for other locations and expanding elsewhere. Our business climate questionnaire will be mailed out before the November 17 meeting and reviewed at that conference. When all the examples of firms who have left Minnesota are summarized, we can probably find a good part of the $600 million loss in revenue creating Governor Quie's present problem. The committee recognized that the fiscal problem has existed for considerable time and that no one particular administration is to blame. However, it feared that a constructive solution will be lost in the attempt to fix blame on particular incumbents. Chairman Stuebner urged committee members to come up with constructive ideas to improve the Minnesota business climate and avoid a political blaming session. We must keep our attention directed to the main problem. Jeff Coult, Secretary " NAIOP Legislative Committee